Life Before 2000 BCE: A Paleoanthropological Perspective

Before the start of the 1st millennium BC, which is denoted in modern terms as BCE (Before Christ), what was the human condition during the millennia preceding it? This vast expanse of time covers the life of early humans, known to paleoanthropologists as the Paleolithic period, stretching back even further to the Stone Age.

The Chronological Progression

Historically speaking, before the 1st millennium of the BC era, the timeline would be as follows: the 2nd millennium BC, then the 3rd, and so forth. Transitioning through time, the early human civilizations found themselves in a world starkly different from what we know today. This era, often referred to as the Stone Age, laid the foundational chapters of human development.

A Paleolithic Society

Before the advent of agriculture and animal husbandry, human society was predominantly characterized by a nomadic lifestyle. Most people were hunter-gatherers, a term that aptly describes those who relied on hunting wild animals and gathering wild plants for sustenance. This period, which lasted for several millennia, played a crucial role in shaping human history and survival strategies.

Technological Developments and Innovations

One of the significant technological advancements during this era was the creation of pottery. Archaeological findings indicate that pottery was invented as far back as 25,000 years ago. Pottery provided better storage options, particularly useful during harsh winters when rodents could not damage the containers. This innovation not only revolutionized food storage but also shifted the early human lifestyle towards a more permanent settlement.

Moreover, early humans developed sophisticated tools to survive in their environments. Tools made from stone, bone, and wood, as well as other animal materials, became essential. Metalworking, which would revolutionize human life in the future, was still thousands of years away. This reliance on primitive tools underscores the ingenuity and resourcefulness of early humans.

Residence and Art

Living spaces during this period were rudimentary, primarily consisting of shelters made from natural materials or caves. However, the evidence of advanced art and cultural expression is evident. Cave paintings and rock carvings, known as petroglyphs, provide a window into the artistic endeavors of early humans dating back to this period and even before. These works of art not only reflect the creativity and symbolic thinking of early humans but also tell us about their way of life.

Belief Systems and Social Structures

While there is limited direct evidence of religious or belief systems from this period, anthropologists have made educated guesses based on modern hunter-gatherer societies. Burial sites and figurines, particularly those shaped like the goddess Venus, suggest that some form of belief or ritual existed. The predominance of female figures in these ceremonial objects may hint at a reverence for fertility or female deities.

Life for most early humans was undoubtedly challenging, with survival being a daily struggle. As Thomas Hobbes famously described, life for all but a very few people was "poor, nasty, brutish, and short." Conflicts between different tribes were common, with women and territory often being the prizes. In the absence of controlled farming and animal husbandry, societies could rely only on the natural resources available to them, leading to a precarious existence.

Despite the difficulties, archaeological evidence suggests that some individuals managed to live into their 60s or even beyond. Women, in particular, may have had a greater chance of reaching old age due to their roles in reproductive and child-rearing activities. However, the mortality rate for children and young adults was extremely high, reflecting the harsh realities of the time.

While we can speculate about the conditions of life before 2000 BCE, true insight can only be gleaned through the study of archaeological remains and the comparison with modern hunter-gatherer societies. As new discoveries continue to shed light on the past, our understanding of this era evolves, contributing to the broader narrative of human history.